The Testament of Sherlock Holmes

Review

Common Sense Media says

Compelling but gory adventure for mature mystery lovers.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Learning1
Best: Really engaging, great learning approach.
Very Good: Engaging, very good learning approach.
Good: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
Fair: Somewhat engaging, okay learning approach.
Not for Learning : Not recommended for learning.
Not for Kids: Not age-appropriate for kids; not recommended for learning.

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Parents say

Not yet rated

Kids say

Not yet rated

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that The Testament of Sherlock Holmes carries a "Mature" rating and is not intended for players younger than 17. There is plenty of blood and gore, including several mutilated corpses (which players must examine for clues), assault victims with bloody faces, and a cutscene of a man shooting himself in the head. Players explore the poorest parts of London, where they will see rampant poverty, starvation, and homelessness as well as drug and alcohol abuse.

  • Positive messages1
    Holmes's actions demonstrate the philosophy that the ends justifies the means, as he uses morally questionable tactics in the name of solving the case. These include illegally entering and searching private premises without a search warrant, deliberately making someone sick to create a diversion, and manipulating Watson. The rift that this dubious behavior causes between Holmes and Watson is one of the game's key themes.
  • Positive role models2
    Holmes has always been a morally ambiguous role model in this particular series, and Testament takes it to new extremes. Holmes' apparently cold and manipulative behavior threatens to completely alienate Dr. Watson, who, by contrast, comes across as compassionate and law-abiding.
  • Ease of play3
    Players need to solve several mind-bending mini-games and logic puzzles over the course of the case. The puzzles are quite challenging, but never unfairly so. There is no Skip button, so players may become stuck.
  • Violence4
    There is plenty of blood, gore, and violence throughout, although players never enact it themselves. Players will see the dead, mutilated bodies of both humans and animals. Players must examine the bodies for clues, and in some cases perform full autopsies that include peeling back skin and making incisions. Cutscenes depict various character deaths by falling, explosion, and in one shown in slow motion, a gunshot to the head. Players experience a savage beating from a first-person perspective.
  • Sex3
    Occasional references to prostitution. The wall of the morgue contains an anatomical drawing of an adult male.
  • Language2
    Occasional uses of "hell" and "damn."
  • Consumerism0
    Not applicable.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking4
    There are passing references to Holmes' use of cocaine, tobacco, and heroin. Part of the game takes place in an opium den, where players see and interact with opium balls and opium smoking paraphernalia. There are references to cigars, cigarettes, and tobacco pipes, but characters are never actually seen smoking. In Whitechapel, players will see drunks passed out holding whiskey bottles or staggering around.
  • Privacy & safety0
    Not applicable.
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What kids can learn

1

While elements of The Testament of Sherlock Holmes focus on deductive reasoning and math skills, we don't recommend it for learning because of its graphic violence.

Subjects
  • Science
    biology, chemistry, substance properties
  • Social Studies
  • Arts
  • Hobbies
Skills
  • Responsibility & Ethics
  • Tech Skills
  • Health & Fitness
See more details

What's it about?

In THE TESTAMENT OF SHERLOCK HOLMES, the famous Baker St. detective himself becomes the prime suspect in a string of gruesome murders involving a potent poison. As evidence mounts against Holmes, his increasingly bizarre and callous behavior threatens to alienate even his long-time partner and friend, Dr. Watson. In this point-and-click adventure, players switch between Holmes and Watson to search for clues, analyze evidence, and talk to witnesses and suspects. They then use the "deduction board" to arrive at the correct hypothesis. Players also play plenty of mini-games and solve puzzles.

Is it any good?

 

As a mystery adventure, The Testament of Sherlock Holmes is both intellectually and artistically compelling. The game's Victorian London environments are detailed and immersive, with the gritty East End district of Whitechapel being a particular highlight. Players solve puzzles that are challenging but not frustratingly so, and hone their powers of observation and deduction in the true spirit of Sherlock Holmes. The Testament of Sherlock Holmes delivers an emotionally engaging storyline that tells of a growing rift between Holmes and Watson over a backdrop of gruesome murders. The story is framed as being retold by a group of young children who stumble upon Watson's diary in an attic, which comes across as a little hackneyed and intrudes on the otherwise serious and sinister tone; but it's the only slight misstep in an otherwise excellent game.

Explore, discuss, enjoy

  • Families can talk about friendship. Watson feels used and manipulated for much of the story. Do you think Holmes is ultimately a good friend to Watson? Would Holmes make a good friend in real-life?

  • The game's Whitechapel District portrays characters that are hungry, destitute, and desperate. In what ways do we take better care of the vulnerable people in our society today?

This review of The Testament of Sherlock Holmes was written by

What kids can learn

1

While elements of The Testament of Sherlock Holmes focus on deductive reasoning and math skills, we don't recommend it for learning because of its graphic violence.

Subjects
  • Language & Reading: following directions, reading, using supporting evidence
  • Math: grouping, numbers, patterns
  • Science: biology, chemistry, substance properties
  • Social Studies:
  • Arts:
  • Hobbies:
Skills
  • Thinking & Reasoning: analyzing evidence, collecting data, deduction
  • Creativity: developing novel solutions
  • Self-Direction:
  • Emotional Development:
  • Communication: asking questions, listening
  • Collaboration: teamwork
  • Responsibility & Ethics:
  • Tech Skills:
  • Health & Fitness:

What's it about?

In THE TESTAMENT OF SHERLOCK HOLMES, the famous Baker St. detective himself becomes the prime suspect in a string of gruesome murders involving a potent poison. As evidence mounts against Holmes, his increasingly bizarre and callous behavior threatens to alienate even his long-time partner and friend, Dr. Watson. In this point-and-click adventure, players switch between Holmes and Watson to search for clues, analyze evidence, and talk to witnesses and suspects. They then use the "deduction board" to arrive at the correct hypothesis. Players also play plenty of mini-games and solve puzzles.

This review of The Testament of Sherlock Holmes was written by
Educator and Parent
December 18, 2012
AGE
17
 
Learning3
review for test
great game
What other families should know:
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This review of The Testament of Sherlock Holmes was written by
Topics:book characters, friendship
Platforms:Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Windows
Available online?Not available online
Genre:Adventure
Developer:Focus Home Interactive
Release date:September 25, 2012
Price:$39.99
ESRB rating:M for Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Use of Drugs (PlayStation 3, Windows, Xbox 360)
This review of The Testament of Sherlock Holmes was written by

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